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A low-volume bowel cleanser approved in July for use in the U.S. is as effective as standard colonoscopy preparations, according to researchers at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia. The report, published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology, found study participants who used the preparation, which contains sodium picosulfate and magnesium citrate, reacted favorably to the taste and ease of consumption. Read the study. Medscape (free registration)/Reuters (1/29)

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University of Liverpool researchers identified a single nucleotide polymorphism in a gene cluster that may play a role in the risk of peptic ulcers among people who use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatments. Adults with peptic ulcer disease who were genotyped for the study were twice as likely to use NSAIDs as those without the condition. Statistical analysis found a link between an SNP in the cytochrome P450 2C cluster — important for metabolism of drugs and endogenous compounds — and peptic ulcer disease, independent of infection with Helicobacter pylori or NSAID use. MedWire News (U.K.) (1/31)

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CMS has released the final rule for the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, requiring drug and device companies to gather information on gifts, payments and other value transfers provided to doctors and teaching hospitals starting Aug. 1. The rule also requires manufacturers and group purchasing organizations to report ownership and investment interests by physicians. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (2/1)

ACG note: ACG is currently reviewing the regulation to determine the impact on physicians as well as provider-related educational courses. Review ACG’s comment letter to this proposed rule.

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Measuring urine salicylate levels is one way to evaluate treatment compliance among patients with ulcerative colitis who are taking mesalamine, according to a study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology. Study author Dr. Alan Moss of the Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center said patient reports of compliance are not reliable. “The reality is that many patients skip doses or pills. We know from other studies that these patients are more likely to experience disease relapses, and have higher health care costs over time,” Moss said. Read the abstract. Healio (1/22)

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In a study of GERD-induced asthma, investigators used a specially designed catheter to measure levels of acid exposure in the patient’s airway. Researchers from West Penn Allegheny Health System also reported in JAMA Surgery that GERD surgery helped relieve asthma symptoms. HealthDay News (1/25)

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The outlook for hepatitis C research is good, said Dr. Donald Jensen, director of the University of Chicago’s Center for Liver Diseases, in this interview. Researchers are using the word “cure” when, previously, they would limit the discussion to a “sustained response,” he said. The university has formed HCV CURE, an organization of patients who are willing to share their experiences with treatment to raise awareness. Chicago Tribune (tiered subscription model) (1/30)

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Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill said data showing inflammatory bowel disease patients have a significantly higher risk of pneumonia should be viewed as a “call to action.” Writing in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, the study teams said more emphasis needs to be put on preventing pneumonia in these patients through vaccination and addressing risk factors. Read the abstract. Medscape (free registration)/Reuters (1/18)

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New guidance released by the CMS details updates to the stage 1 meaningful use requirements for EHRs. These updates, which are now in effect for calendar year and fiscal year 2013, include measures related to computerized physician order entry systems, e-prescribing and electronic clinical data exchange. Health Data Management (1/18)

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A study from the Netherlands showed fecal transplantation cured 15 of 16 patients with recurring Clostridium difficile infections, compared with only three and four in two groups of 13 patients who were given antibiotics. Researchers said about 500 people worldwide have had the procedure. Gastroenterologist Dr. Colleen Kelly at the Women’s Medicine Collaborative in Providence, R.I., called the study important and said she hoped it would “encourage people to change their practice patterns and offer this treatment more.” The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (1/16)

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Now published in the January issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology, Clinical Guideline: Management of Gastroparesis reviews the definition, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment of gastroparesis, including nutritional supplementation, glycemic control, pharmacological, endoscopic, device and surgical therapy. Each section of the guideline will present key recommendations related to the section topic and include a summary of the evidence supporting those recommendations. Review the guideline here.

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